Values Education
At Stepping Stones we have four core values.
Respect
Kindness
Trust
Tolerance
At Stepping Stones we raise standards by promoting a school ethos which is underpinned by core values. These values support the development of the whole child as a reflective learner within a calm, caring, happy and purposeful atmosphere. We support the child as a reflective learner, the whole child’s social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and moral development and promote quality teaching and learning so they become learners for life. We develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes in school and at home that enable our pupils to develop as reflective learners and grow to be stable, educated and civil adults.
To ensure our pupils are aware that positive human values make the world a better place we focus on four core values: Respect, Trust, Tolerance, Kindness.
We explore a different focus value each week; which are categorised under 5 key areas.
| Core Human & Ethical Values These values form the moral compass for our pupils | Personal Growth & Wellbeing These values foster inner strength and positive mental health | Social & Civic Responsibility These are values which help our pupils become positive contributors to society | Interpersonal Values These values guide how our pupils interact and build relationships daily | Learning & Academic Values These values are directly applied during our pupils learning process |
| Respect* Honesty & Integrity Compassion & Empathy Tolerance* & Inclusivity Humility | Resilience Courage Reflection Happiness & Peace | Democracy * The Rule of Law * Individual Liberty * Cooperation | Trust Friendship & Kindness Patience | Responsibility Tolerance Creativity |
* Fundamental British Value
We have a programme of a weekly circle time that introduces the focus value(s) for the week, and daily meetings in class that explore the value(s) further. Pupils are encouraged to be actively involved in exploring their understanding of values. At the class daily meetings pupils are encouraged to make nominations, informing us of anyone who has displayed/used the focus value with them that day.
If a nominated child shows the value of the week consistently throughout the week they will earn the value band for the week as a physical token to remind them that they have achieved recognition for the set value. This will be awarded at the Friday celebration meeting.
There is direct teaching about values in our weekly SEMH lessons. These sessions provide opportunities for personal reflection, moral discourse and appropriate activities which promote understanding. Lessons may explore the value in more detail, encourage pupils to reflect on the value and what it means to them and their own behaviour or discuss how we can use the value to guide our own actions. All staff model the values through their own behaviour. Values are also taught implicitly through every aspect of the curriculum.
Parents/carers receive a Values Newsletter each half term with an overview of the values that will be covered that term. They are informed of the weekly focus value(s) via the Class Dojo app and the weekly digital newsletter. A Home Values Activity is shared each week where the children can complete a values task at home with their parents/carers that contributes to a whole school display that is shared on Class Dojo with parents/carers. Each week parents/carers can make values nominations if they have seen their child display the week’s focus value(s) at home. On a Friday the names of the children who have earned a values band are published on Class Dojo.
In accordance with The Department for Education guidance we actively promote British values to ensure our pupils leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. As well as referencing British Values through our SEMH learning, each half term a discreet British Values lesson is delivered and by the end of the year each class will have completed a programme of study that covers each of the Fundamental British Values.
We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
At Stepping Stones we understand the Fundamental British Values as:
Democracy: The right to vote and have your say in how our country and local area is run.
Individual Liberty: The freedom to believe what you want and act as you like within the laws of our country.
The Rule of Law: All people should follow the laws in Britain. These laws are designed to protect everybody in the country.
Mutual Respect: That two people, no matter how different they are, can live harmoniously in the same society.
Tolerance of Others: To have a fair attitude towards people whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic background, differ from your own.
We also understand the vital role we have in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
Ways We Explore Our British Values
Democracy:
Democracy is embedded at the school. Children are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Pupil Voice and regular questionnaires. Our House Captains work not only to solve issues that the children raise but also have input into their curriculum and the standards of the school.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Learning about authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our social skills opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect:
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their actions have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. The children know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Due to the size of our school Stepping Stones there is limited cultural diversity, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Opportunities are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.